No Excuses, No Victims: Bradley Henderson on Radical Ownership and Closing the Divide

Welcome And Meet Bradley Henderson

SPEAKER_02 0:00

I think the principle is those hard lessons, those embarrassing, shameful moments or experiences that we've had in our life, you can turn them into magic, but you got to let them out. What is going on, LM family, back again? And this time I got a guest that I had an opportunity to have a conversation with them. I feel like we have oceans and oceans of things in common, which is why I'm excited to bring them to you. He's the founder of Plumb Line Operations. He is an advocate for the men and women out there in the field. He helps contractors close the gap between the field and the office. And if you've been in construction anywhere, you know that there is a chasm between the field and the office. And he does it in such a way that you can't ignore it. So if you're on LinkedIn, you need to go look up my brother here, Mr. Bradley Henderson. We're going to get to know more about Mr. Bradley. Now, if this is your first time here, you're listening to the Learnings and Missteps podcast, where you get a front row seat to see how amazing human beings just like you are sharing their gifts and talents to lead the industry better than they found it. My name's Jesse, your selfish servant, and we're about to get to know Mr. Bradley. Mr. Bradley, how you doing, my friend?

SPEAKER_01 1:26

Another day in the hood, man. I'm out here grinding as we know it in Tampa, Florida, a little ways away from home, but life's good right now.

SPEAKER_02 1:34

10, 4.

The Personal Toll Of Travel Work

SPEAKER_02 1:35

Oh man, dude. Oh, we're gonna have to touch on that the travel part of construction. It's always an adventure, but it I think it takes a toll on people personally being separated from your support system and not even talking about drama, but being away, staying in a foreign place, not having the continuity of contact. How do you deal with that?

SPEAKER_01 1:58

It'll definitely wear on you as a human being in your personal relationships for sure. Just because for me, I sometimes get way too intimately involved in the process of construction when we're running stuff out of town. So yeah, I just do it, but I try to keep constant contact with my partner, Heather, and my daughter. And I'm not gone too long. I'll I'll bounce in for a couple days and then I'll go back home just because I've got a seven-year-old at home and my bride Heather, she's they're they're just the most important things. So I try to keep it balanced, but it's hard to at times.

SPEAKER_02 2:41

Yeah, yeah. Well, good on you, man. Like I've had traveling work before, and then doesn't occur to me that I should check in with the people like I'm working, I'm not doing anything wrong. But that doesn't feel good, like I just kind of disappear for four or five days a week or three or whatever it is, and I was causing my own problems. So good on you for like being active and reaching out and staying in contact and making it a point to get back home because you also know what's that well.

SPEAKER_01 3:12

If it wasn't a specific contractor that we're really close to and we do a lot of work with, I wouldn't even take the work, you know. So it's got to be a very specific need for us to go traveling.

SPEAKER_02 3:26

Yeah, well, good, and I imagine when you're considering that, you also are recognizing the impact it's gonna have on the crew that you're sending to the work as well.

SPEAKER_01 3:35

Yeah, that's correct, that's correct. We are fortunate in that aspect, and we've got a couple guys that they just want to work, yeah. They come from a Cuban descent, and they are they're amazing. I mean, they these guys are absolute rock stars, so I'm fortunate that I can call on them when the time arises.

SPEAKER_02 3:55

So that's yeah, they're always down there. There was a time in my career where I'm like, what overtime travel? I'm on my way, but yeah, I would get that per diem check on Friday, and I would spend it all by Saturday.

SPEAKER_01 4:10

Oh, dude, yeah. We know all about that too. Yeah, believe me, I've traveled that road. Yeah, man. I remember like, hey, can I bunk up in your room? Trying to borrow the money, borrow money from the boss to get back home. All that. Yeah, yes.

SPEAKER_02 4:28

Jeez, oh man, it's rough out there. Well, can't be so.

LinkedIn, Leadership, And Owning Problems

SPEAKER_02 4:33

I want to start, Brett, at the uh the thing that first caught my attention on LinkedIn. You have a particular format that I don't know if you've noticed, or maybe it's just me, but I kind of feel like I start I'm starting to notice other people replicate your style, right? With the legal pad and the statement on there. So obviously, like that caught my. I was like, oh, that's cool, that's simple. But when I go and read the idea that you're posting about, what comes across to me is massive ownership. Like you're taking ownership for the problems that exist between the field and the office, like accountability, integrity, all of that comes through in your post. And the reason I think it stands out so much to me is because there's so many people that have the level of responsibility and position within their organizations, and they don't take that level of accountability. So, why? Like, what how did you get to the point where you're like, you know what, this is on me. I need to focus on me and how we're doing things. What got you there?

Addiction, Prison, And The Turning Point

SPEAKER_01 5:36

It comes from it's all gonna come from my past, right? So I uh I you and I spoke about this briefly, but I fell into a point of addiction that led me down a very dark road that was tough for me. Eventually, it led me to prison, as a matter of fact. So there came a time and a place where I was sitting in prison and I was alone, afraid, and I had nobody to turn to but me. And I had to make a decision, and it was what are you gonna do about it? I was kind of at a so what, now what kind of stage. Yeah, and it the more that I dug down and I did research and I talked to people who I deeply respect, everything led back to ownership and owning the outcome and owning the problem and situation that you're currently in. And I believe that no matter what, if we look deep enough, we're gonna figure out a way that we got ourselves here, or that I got myself where I was at. And so, first off, I'm gonna take ownership of it, then I'm gonna set a problem, basically create a path to move forward. And then third, I'm gonna own the outcome. So no matter what happens, I put the plan together and I'm gonna own it. And that's where I maybe I am a little bit different than some, but it's it just the buck stops with me. And if we have problems, I'm gonna find a solution to them and I'm gonna own the outcome. And I think that's served me well so far, and it's starting to resonate with people too.

SPEAKER_02 7:14

Yeah, man, and I'm sure it ruffles a lot of feathers, right? Because there's some people they're good at pointing fingers, like, no man, it's right here.

SPEAKER_01 7:24

A hit dog will bark, you know what I mean? Yeah, they get called out, it's just it's surrounded and with truth. I would rather somebody come to me and be bluntly honest with me, no matter what the conversation is, than bullshit me and run off and do something different. And that's how I try to operate these days because I've been the other person before, and that's that that's no place for me.

SPEAKER_02 7:51

Yeah, man.

Sobriety And Escaping Victim Thinking

SPEAKER_02 7:52

So if you don't mind, I want to talk about being the other person because I'm sure you saw my post yesterday. I celebrated 10 years of sobriety, and congratulations, yeah, man. It's crazy. I'm like, I don't know how I did it, but I'm just gonna keep doing it. That's it. That's awesome, Jesse. 10 years is something to be very proud of, dude. Yes, it and transformational, right? In terms of the quality of life, the fulfillment that I'm experiencing, the way I'm able to contribute. Like 10 years ago, bro. That this was a stupid, crazy. If somebody would have said, Hey Jess, in 10 years, you stay on this path, this is how life's gonna be. I would have said, You're full of crap, man. What are you trying to get out of me? There's no possible way, and now I'm here like this is pretty damn awesome.

SPEAKER_01 8:37

You're doing now real quick, the compounding effect is crazy. Like, yes, I didn't understand it until it started happening.

SPEAKER_02 8:45

Yeah, yep, yep. Now, to similar to you, it was a function of me starting to take ownership of my part in everything, right? Like it's easy to say I got bad luck, I'm a blah blah blah. You know, there were things that I was doing that contributed to the problem, it's not all my fault necessarily, but I did contribute and I need to own that part, which plays directly into the way I function now, and just like you said, owning the outcome. And so, for the listeners out there, if you're stuck in a situation where you really just think you have bad luck and everybody's against you, man, forget all that and focus on your part. What was your contribution? I have a friend, Sean, he says, You're at least one percent of every problem you're dealing with. Like, damn, like that's the thing. Now, before I had that mindset, it was everybody else's fault, right? I was in a victim state of mind. I had bad luck, everybody's against me, nobody supports me. Man's keeping me down, like all of these things. Did you have the a similar experience in terms of like things were just out of your control?

SPEAKER_01 10:03

Oh, yeah, man, yeah. I blew, I blamed on everybody. Every I any if I could justify anything, and that was the go-to thing was well, it's just not my fault, mom. It's these guys, or it's them, or it's it's it's in reality, was it was all my fault every single time I made the decision, and at the very end of it, it always pointed back to me when I would look in the mirror and get real honest because it's it's I can bull crap anybody, but when I look in the mirror to myself, you know deep down, and I feel like so do other people. And when I navigate life today, when people come at me with different things and I can sense a victim mentality, it I revert, like we need to correct this. Yeah, something else is going wrong. But yes, absolutely, I had a victim mentality, and it embarrasses me to think back about it.

SPEAKER_02 10:58

You know what? Embarrass is the perfect word because there's times where you know, similar to you, I'm interacting with people and I see the behavior and I want to jump, like, hey, no, uh, and I'm like, wait a minute, Jess, you did the same shit. Like, chill out, be cool, be a little softer with them because you know this game, you were an expert at that game. So there is there's some humility that comes with that. Man, it's tough. As soon as they start taking ownership, everything changes. Everything, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 11:30

I mean, for me, that's what the experience was, and I started to climb out of the hole, yeah, step by step, and it just you start getting a little momentum, and you want more. So you dive in deeper. It's been really cool.

LM Family Shoutout And Why Reviews Matter

SPEAKER_02 11:47

We got to do the LM family member shout-out, and this one goes to Ms. Bonnie Waller, who I got to meet in person in DFW. I was doing a little training, and she took the time to leave this awesome review. She says, My first time at a depth builder program, and I was not disappointed. Jesse really brings a dynamic energy to the room and engages with all the participants. And I think that's her nice way of saying that I was torturing her, but it wasn't totally horrible. So, Bonnie, thank you for coming to the thing and introducing yourself in person because I know we've been interacting digitally on the LinkedIn and stuff, and the contributions you're making to the industry and folks out there, you already know. I love that you're here, I love that you're listening, and I love it even more when you leave a comment or a review because it gives me an excuse to celebrate you in a future conversation. Yeah, man. Yeah, no, it's liberating.

Choosing Your Response Builds Freedom

SPEAKER_02 12:48

I don't know, I don't think there's a word strong enough for it. For me, it happened. A friend of mine recommended the book Man's Search for Meaning. There's a quote in there where the guy says, There is a space between stimulus and response. And within that space lies our power to choose. And I remember I read that, I'm like, oh crap. This whole time I was blaming my ex and I was blaming the lawyers, I was blaming the law because I was the way I was responding to things, but I never like reacting, I never took the time to think like I don't have to do this, I don't have to do it that way. And I mean, when I read that, it's just like, oh damn it, this is all my fault. But little by little, man, and then the quote goes on to say, and the more you exercise that power, the bigger the space gets. And so, like you mentioned earlier, the compounding impact of that, it was freaking transformational. But still, today I talked to some people about ownership, and their natural instinct is to like, but it's not my fault. Like, it's this isn't a question about fault. This is a question of owning your peace. And so I'm curious, man.

Coaching Ownership With Real Jobsite Examples

SPEAKER_02 14:06

I'm sure you get in conversations. How do you help people kind of come to terms with the idea of taking ownership for their part?

SPEAKER_01 14:14

Well, I just let's start peeling the onion back and let's talk about it. And once we do that, we see what's in falls in their favor and what they could have done differently, and how their decision to choose to either avoid something or move forward with something altered the outcome. And that right there, if you dig down deep enough in that and figure out what are the other solutions that I could have chosen and spent some time on it. For me, I always could find a better path. And still, when I reflect back on some of the things that I do now, I find a better path. But like today, we've got units going up a little bit back here on Circle K. And we should have checked the curbs better because the sizes are wrong. Oh, I'm running the outside, it's got a lot going on, so you know, and I can I could have blamed it on the architect, I could have blamed it on the superintendent, my guys, whatever the case may be. But the fact that it's my responsibility at the end of the day, and we get back to the uh question again. So what now what? So what that's done. Now what are we gonna do about it? And I try to get up the correct plan moving forward.

SPEAKER_02 15:21

Yeah, oh yeah, man. I've had had that, like, oh, the curves don't fit. We they were too tight. Shit. All right, now you mentioned you you spent some time in storage. I say that jokingly because a lot of the guys used to tell me, like, yeah, man, I was I just got out of storage. I'm like, what are you talking about? I was locked up, like, oh yeah, storage, college, yeah, yeah, college. You might had an uncle, I swear to god, man. I had an uncle that was in college frequently, and I was a kid because the family didn't want to talk about that. I really believed that my uncle Neto was in college, and then as I got older, he's like, Oh no, he was he was doing some time multiple

Having A Record And Earning Trust

SPEAKER_02 16:04

times. Now, I know the experience of getting stuff on your record, having a history with the law, and I like the dealing with it is one thing, right? That's an issue, it was my responsibility. I earned whatever that was, but I do remember feeling like, oh crap, does this mean it's over for me? Because now going forward, people are gonna know I got a record, I've been involved, like I've been I got felonies, I've had ankle monitors, like the whole thing. How did you deal with that? Or did you even did that ever cross your mind, like, oh my goodness, now I'm marked for life?

SPEAKER_01 16:46

That's a great question. I had no idea really how I was gonna do that, but what I did know is I had to be honest with people because I would go out there and get the job, I'm qualified to get the job, and I can I could tell you anything you needed to hear for me to get that job. And I've done that before. I've done that before. But sooner or later, they're gonna find out. And I took massive action and talked to as many people as I could, and I just knew that if I could get somebody to give me an opportunity, that I was gonna take that opportunity and not only meet the standard, but I was gonna rise above it because we're already starting. Excuse me, I'm already starting from a backed up position, having to make up all that ground because I've got a record. So I was very honest in my past. I let him know what went on, what happened, what I did to correct it, and how I was gonna move forward through it, and told him, I just need a chance. If you see for anything that you don't like, get rid of me. But give me a chance. I just want I just want a chance. And he took that chance on me, and I'm grateful for that because it allowed me to get back in the field, get with the guys, work, and actually earn something instead of lying myself into something because I've done that before, and it you don't feel any fulfillment when something's given to you. But man, when you work for something, it's a different, it's a different type of feeling, and it it's just it's to me it's powerful because it it gives me something to really talk about with some substance. I can get past the service with it, surface with it. So that happened, and how LinkedIn started was I started calling myself out on all this, all this disconnect. That was how it started. And just to give me a little bit of personal ownership, okay, hey, here's this, I'm gonna let the world know about it. That'll be that. Well, it seems like there's a lot of other people that feel the same type of way. So it worked for me, and that kind of opened up other doors to be able to give back to people that have walked a similar road to me. Because if I can help somebody and show them a little easier path to get from A to B, then I want to do that because I feel like I'm on this earth to coming back up. I feel better about myself and about everything else around me when I'm helping somebody, when I'm giving something back. Yes. That that that makes that that fills me up. Money's great, but man, when you have that human connection with somebody and you actually help them through a difficult situation in their life, that's a very rewarding feeling to me.

SPEAKER_02 19:48

Brother, amen, man.

Using Old Patterns For Good

SPEAKER_02 19:50

You mentioned you touched on like you could lie your way through anything, and folks, listeners out there, like this is the truth. You don't know, you need to know. I'm an addict, right? I'm sober, I haven't touched it. But what that also means is I am an expert manipulator. I know how to get precisely what I want from you all the time, every time. And there was a point in my life where I did and said whatever I needed to do and say to get what I wanted. Also, you said, like, that doesn't produce fulfillment. And I know, right? All it did was create a bigger hole. Now, today, I think I use my powers for good, right? Those manipulative the tactics and techniques that I used to do, I put it under the umbrella of influence. It's the same kind of behaviors, the same kind of insight that I use to help and support people in a healthier path or in a path that's going to better serve them, their goals, their hopes, and desires. What do you think about that? Is that just me trying to make myself feel good, or do you still see like now I use my powers for good?

SPEAKER_01 21:06

I think that's exactly what I do too. I mean, we were given something that was killing myself and killing people around me, and using that need, whatever was lost inside me, turning that around and using it for something good, that's powerful. And to be able to have a conversation with my mother today, when there was a time that she thought about me and it put her in tears. Yeah. And today it puts her in tears that she's she's very proud. And I'm very proud to be able to make my mother proud, my father proud. I think it's powerful. And if you've got something that you went through, I mean, we you just learn so much going through hard times. And when you go through those hard times, if you turn that around and use it for good, that's just it's just strong. And I think that yeah, I think that's exactly what we need to do.

SPEAKER_02 22:00

Yeah, man. Yeah. The way I there was a period of time when I was going the last time I got arrested, what happened? I was in rehab. And like, don't get me wrong, man. I didn't go to rehab because I wanted to get better. I went to rehab because I knew the judge would look at it favorably. Like I was gaming. I know all about it for sure. Yeah. And it it was inpatient rehab 30 days. My attorney said, dude, you need to do this. Damn it. The company's gonna shut down without me. And guess what? I was wrong. They just kept on rolling without me. But anyhow, so I was in there and I was totally committed to gaming the system. I knew what I needed to say, right? I knew the cliches and the phrases the counselors were gonna be looking for. So that was the plan. Well, turns out every morning I get up and journal and run, but like we could we had to stay in the complex. Anyways, there was this little picnic table. So I'd get up and go walk a few laps, and then I'd sit down and journal at the picnic table.

Sharing Shame To Help Others Heal

SPEAKER_02 23:02

And there was this group of three dudes. They just kind of started joining, like, hey man, what's up? And we start talking. And one was real young, he's like 20 years old, another guy was maybe five years younger than me, and the other guy was older than me. They were all first timers there, like it was their first time, they had never been arrested before, right? Like, never, this is the first time they come to terms with their substance abuse or addiction. And I could see myself in their experience, and I'm like, oh, hold on. And I so I would start talking to them, like, hey man, this is what you can expect, and here's what to think about, and just kind of sharing my experience. And they were like eating it up, and we got close, like every morning, it was a thing, like, hey man, I'll see you in the morning, and speaking into each other's lives. And I remember one morning I was up there and I'm like, man, these things that I've carried massive amounts of shame about. Now I feel good about them, which is a little weird. And I'm like, you know what? I got plenty of dumb stuff, shameful things that I've done that I can free myself by sharing it with somebody else to help them out. Yes, sir. Loses power over you immediately. Man, yes, you said it. Like it took the power away, it freed me. I'm like, all of us like, damn, all these things that I've been hiding, suppressing, covering up, trying to pretend like they never happen. All I gotta do is share them. And you know, not just barf on people, but when the opportunity presents itself, bring it up and take the experience from it and serve it up to somebody. So you see the same, you see the same, huh?

SPEAKER_01 24:48

That's the miracle, that's divine intervention right there. That is the miracle when you can go somewhere, it doesn't matter where you go, and you can share that experience in a room with a bunch of other addicts, and they know it immediately. That is the miracle, is just to be able to relate in something, then you feel a part of something. That's why I believe the rooms work. Yeah. Oh man, you know, yeah, that's why they work. Everybody's working for a common good, and trying to honestly just play such a major role in the walk through that, in the journey. And if you get the right person that that walks through it with you, helps you along in a sponsor, he will make sure that you experience all of that journey so that you can you know, so you can help the next person and pass it down. I mean, that's what it's all about. And yes, man, I I rely heavily on the rooms, just so you know that. Yeah, of course, I was an addict too. That's it, that's powerful. When you when you can lose that, when that's something that's because man, I used to do a lot of extra stuff to try to find out or make sure that people had no clue that I was that guy, and all I had to do was the first time I remember when I said it to somebody, so embarrassed. Yep, and it was it was no big deal. Nobody got hurt, nobody got injured. I felt a thousand percent better, and it got easier the next time, easier the next time. Now I can come on here and talk to you about it like it's just another day at the office.

SPEAKER_02 26:28

Yeah, my stuff. Yes, yeah, and I think it's true for anything, like you don't have to be an addict or get having had some first contact with the law for this to be to work for you, right? Like the things I think the principle is those hard lessons, those embarrassing, shameful moments or experiences that we've had in our life, you can turn them into magic, but you got to let them out. The more you suppress them and hide them and polish them and shine them up, you're just adding to the emotional baggage. If you just come out with it, man, you can help somebody. And like you said, the miracle, you can see that you gave somebody some light about what the next step they need to take is, and they've been stuck there forever. You just gotta let it go, man, and you'll it'll kill the power that it's had over you, whatever it is, whether it's addiction or there's plenty of other things that relates to now. Yeah, you mentioned sponsors, you mentioned your parents and the people that gave you a chance. Like, my perspective is this is a lot of people are like, Why do you do so much? Like, man, because I owe. And I don't mean in a negative sense, I mean people have opened doors for me, people have taken me back many times, they didn't give up on me, they gave me opportunities, even though I got my resume of all the things that I've been arrested for. What do you thought? What do you got to say to those people? The ones that gave you an opportunity, the ones that didn't give up on you, the ones that give because they know it's better for them if they give than if they just take.

SPEAKER_01 28:08

Well, they're just they are they're absolute, they're amazing people, and they're what they're trying to do is bring something out in people in a way that just for the greater good. Yeah, and I believe that through them helping us, they get to in turn

Gratitude, Service, And Paying It Forward

SPEAKER_01 28:29

help themselves, it helps them, yeah, or it helps me. So if I help somebody else, but helps me. So if I continue to give back, it's just gonna keep progressing me further on that path. So that's that's why I do it. That's why I think other people do it, and it's always just gonna be helpful for somebody to live like that and walk like that if they come through some rough patch to talk about something. And I got sidetracked because a cop just circled me for some strange reason. Yeah, I'm pulled over on the side of the road, but in any event, but that's why it keeps bringing me if when I burn bridges on people and I go back to making amends with them, I've got to be honest, and I've got to self-reflect and I've got to take ownership of what happened, and that allows me to forgive myself for what I did. Okay, I did what I could, and I'm gonna have to leave it at that. The ones that I hurt and did wrong, I'm sincerely coming to them and letting them know hey, I had a part in this, I own that, and I apologize. If I did anything that's cost money, I'm gonna try to make it right. That's where I'm at right now. That'll give me the opportunity to let that open up that space in my head to where I can fill it with something else good and keep traveling down that path of making amends and working with people, making amends and working with people. That's allowed me to grow into the person I am. So I believe that when those people get that experience of me telling them I'm sorry, and they feel because you can feel it, that it's oh yeah, uh that it's relevant and real, then I'm apologizing from a whole heart, a clear mind and a kind heart, a lot of them respect you. And we live in a very helping society. And what I mean by that is America's willing to give second, third, and fourth chances. Yep. When you get those, what are you gonna do with it? And uh today I take an honest look at that. If something that's outside my wheelhouse, I've got no problem saying no these days. But if it can benefit the person, and it can benefit me, show some growth in me, but have an impact in somebody, I'm usually all for it. Yeah, I feel like that's part of the process too of making amends is you know, going out there doing the service work that inspires and helps others. Yes, if enough people see you doing that and you've wronged them, and you came to them and apologize fully, openly, and honestly, they're gonna give you, they're gonna give you a chance, another chance.

SPEAKER_02 31:17

Yeah, man. Oh god, yeah, that making amends thing. I'm blessed. Like there's so many people that could have just cut me off and thrown me in the trash, and they didn't. Yeah, and there were two things when I was going through that, when I started learning how to do that, the best way to say it is I didn't just get to apologize. I had to say, hey, I owe my part, I'm sorry. What can I do to make it right? That's right. Period. Like it wasn't just hey, sorry. No, I didn't get to do that, I don't get to do that anymore. Before I used to be able to go shit the bed and say, Oh, sorry about that. I don't get to do that anymore. Now I gotta say, my bad, I did it. How can I make it right? And man, so many like I was terrified.

Making Amends Without Defending Yourself

SPEAKER_02 32:06

But so many people said, Jesse, just stay on this path, man. Like, we see what you can do, we believe in you, we want the best for you. You want to make it right, stay on the path you're on. And I and oh, it felt so good. It also was like, Man, these people like I suck, right? I wasn't the greatest guy to them at all, but I needed it. Now, there were a few people and have been that were like, piss on you, get away from me. And that's okay, but it wasn't okay for me to put them, right? Like, I told my sponsor, I'm like, Man, I went in like these sons of beasts. Oh no, you don't get to be mad about that. You need to forgive yourself, which you already said, you need to forgive yourself, and you earned that. Like, they do have no obligation to accept your like nothing whatsoever. This is kind of what you get, and I was like, That sucks, but I earned it.

SPEAKER_01 33:03

Yeah, no, it does, it does. It hurts the ego, but we the ego is never my ego's never really done anything that's bared any fruit other than get me in sore situations. And when I would put that, put the man Brad Henderson, who you know, when I would put that to the side, and just my sponsor, for instance, he used to tell me because I would do the half-ass yeah tell him I'm sorry. I would say, Hey, I'm sorry for this, that he goes, Man, look, we know you're sorry. Now I need you to apologize. Yeah, but so he would he made me earn it, and man, I've been blessed, and just the people that have gotten around me. For me to think there's not a God would be insane. Yeah, for the way divine intervention has entered my life with the people that have been put in my life at the specific time that I needed that person or needed what the I mean, it's just it's it's there's no way all that happened on purpose, like yeah, just happenstance. I mean, it's it's yeah, at the time I needed to happen, and now I I rely heavily on that, and it's hadn't it hadn't let me down since. As long as I'm doing the right thing and being honest, that's it. That's it, that's that plays back to that ownership. Are you doing the work to make sure that you're there? When if I am, stuff just happens.

SPEAKER_02 34:27

Yeah, man. Oh, that's amazing, dude. Again, I haven't done that, but I want to appreciate you for being as vulnerable and open about this subject because it can be scary. But I hope that the listeners out there are getting some context that if like the ones that are struggling in self-destructive behavior, hey man, this it really is this beautiful, this easy, and that hard, right? Like, do the right thing, make the next right decision, stay on the path, serve others, and everything opens up for you. You gotta make amends, you gotta be appreciative of what you have. My one of my favorite sayings I hear in the rooms was I'm grateful for everything I have and everything I don't. And I remember talking to old boy, I said, What do you mean, everything you don't have? How can you be grateful for that? And he says, Well, I don't have handcuffs on, I don't have a six by eight room to sleep in anymore. I don't have anybody dictating to me what time I need to wake up and what time lights are off. I'm like, Oh, I get it now.

SPEAKER_00 35:38

Yeah, it makes total sense, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_01 35:40

Because it could be for me, it could have been a lot worse. And uh, did it suck? Yeah, it sucked, but also it was one of those shitty situations that gave me the amount of growth that I needed to change my surroundings, yeah. And it took it it took that here's the cop right here. It took me going through that to to make a change. It took me having to go to prison, having to go through some heartache, not being able to, I'm just gonna move, not being able to see my family or my daughter or talk to them. And once I did that, everything started to be okay. There was a path forward then. I just had to get deeply honest with my with myself and who put myself there. Well, I did. Okay, well, who's gonna get you out of it? Well, I am all right. How are we gonna do it? Then come up with a plan and execute.

SPEAKER_02 36:40

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And you're executing, man. I mean, we've talked a lot about serving others and working the program and doing that sort of thing, but now professionally, like you're you got your own thing going on, you're out there doing work, serving, coaching other people. How easy has that been figuring out like, oh, wait a minute, people want to pay me for this. Wait a minute, I can actually help them professionally doing this coaching thing and stuff. What's that experience been like?

SPEAKER_01 37:11

Right now I'm in the figuring it out phase. I'm growing slow because I'm growing way quicker than I ever thought that I would, but I'm in the just slow growth and trying to figure it out as I go. I'm trying to position myself around people that have been through similar experiences as I have, or I'm trying to go through to gain their advice to move forward from it. So it's challenging, but it's a calling. I'm getting called in that direction. So that's what I want to do. And and I think that if I continue to be open, be honest, be

Second Chances With Structure In Trades

SPEAKER_01 37:43

grateful, and put the work in, that I'm gonna be able to transition from a full-time operations director inside of a company that's flowing and going to serve others and myself with what I want to do full-time, and that's help others. And I'm trying to put a path in place. I don't know if I've told you this, but through Plumb Line operations, where we've got a lane for second-chance people where we can get we're gonna get people who have the desire, the hunger to change and want employment. But I mean, they gotta have it. When you have when you give a guy that's who has hunger who wants to change and is doing taking the steps to changing, and you put guardrails in place and you give him a structured environment with a company that's given him opportunity, and you put those two together, whoa, that's that's powerful. They are going to be loyal, rise above, do up whatever it takes to be successful because this company is giving them a chance. Some of these guys have never had people take chances on them before. I know, yeah, yes. We're experiencing a drastic, they say a labor shortage in the skilled trades. I believe it's got a lot to do with leadership within the skilled trades, but there is labor gaps. Mission critical work is taking a lot of the commercial workforce with it, right? So there's another gap inside of the mission or the commercial sector. And what I'm trying to do is get companies to just be open about a structured environment and have a conversation with some guys who have the skill set and the hunger to get out there and strive for them. Now, this company just needs to take a chance, and what they don't know is there's tax credit incentives, there's insurance incentives, there's all these federal incentives these companies can get as long as they hire and take a chance on a guy with a past. But the key, the differentiator of this whole thing, and the one thing that makes it work is structure. If you don't have structure, it's gonna be they're gonna, it's it's an it's a terrible idea. But with structure and and some accountability, it works. And that's what I'm that's what that's my focus right now, is is building that out. I'm on the board of a not on the board, but I was one of the founding mentors, Trade Mentor, which is a large organization that's shrinking the gaps and making a difference. I've also talked to some powerful people inside the trades who I deeply respect and really can't even believe I had the opportunity to get on the phone with them and have a conversation with. So that's very cool. So that's where my focus is now to try to give back to the guys who need second chances and to build up the workforce and to try to get back. And I think that if I can do that, not only will it make an impact, but it's gonna serve me an out of the daily grind of operations inside of a mechanical contractor. Because ultimately, you know, that's what I want, but I'm very grateful for what I've got, and I'm getting pulled toward my passion, and I'm okay with sharing it.

SPEAKER_02 41:14

Yeah, man. Oh, I love it. Because yes, you've said a calling, and when that happens, it's magic, and you just don't fight it, go to it, right? Do the right thing, be honest, own it, do the work, it'll work out for you. Now, I want to make sure, like, if people want to get a hold of you, where do we send them? What's the best way for people to like if they just want to get some inspiration? Because I know I'm getting inspiration from you, or they want some real technical insight in terms of their operations or second chance, where should we send them, brother?

SPEAKER_01 41:53

The best way right now is LinkedIn. They can DM me there at LinkedIn or they can email me at hindohelpsgmail.com. The website will be up soon, and that's PlumlineOps.us.net. So they'll be able to get there and ask me direct questions. LinkedIn's gonna be probably the fastest way, though.

SPEAKER_02 42:14

Yeah, yeah, 10-4, man. I'll make sure we put the links in the comments that way people can access you because I think you're a phenomenal freaking human being to be connected with, period. But also there's some services like that. Yeah, no, like it. Here's the thing

Where To Reach Bradley

SPEAKER_02 42:30

is like, you know, it you've been out there, there's a lot of people that are doing their job and they're having some personal success, and that's good, like, that's more than good, that's freaking phenomenal. And there's a small few that are putting in freaking work to leave things better than they found it. Those are the kind of people that I want to grow up and be like, and so you're one of those people, man. People need to be connected with you. You got something good, you're doing something that's bigger than yourself that our industry largely needs, and so people just need to be connected that you'll make them better, right? Like you being a connection of mine raises the value, a perceived value of who I am because I'm associated with you, and I think that could be true for everybody else. Now, I got the the grand slam home run question, Brad. You ready? Yeah, man. All right. So I'm excited to hear your answer because, and I want to uh double tap on this one because it case the listener out there, LM family. If you missed it, Brad was in prison. He did some time if he struggled with with substance abuse, with addiction. And now he's a director of operations, starting this whole new initiative to serve the broader community. He is living proof, bro. You are living proof that it can be done, that there is a way out, that it doesn't have to, we don't have to stay stuck. You're out there sharing your gifts and talents. You're out there taking ownership, making amends, leaving things better than you found them. And because of all of that, I think your answer to this question is gonna hopefully slap some people in the face. So here it goes. What is the promise you are intended to be?

SPEAKER_01 44:22

What is the promise I'm intended to be?

The Promise: Being A Truth Teller

SPEAKER_01 44:25

A real person, a real honest person that no matter what is gonna tell you the truth as I see it. That's pretty it. I mean, that's it. So if I see it and you ask my opinion of it, it's not what you want to hear, it's not what you want to hear, but it's what I see, and that's that.

SPEAKER_02 44:47

Yeah, I mean you know how many people need that truth teller in their life?

SPEAKER_01 44:53

Well, I've had friends that tell me what I want to hear, and it got nowhere. And then I got real close to somebody who didn't candy coat anything, and he let me have it. And that's where growth started. That that's that's you know then, all right. Well, somebody else sees it too. That's a problem. I need to change it, move differently. And um that that served me well, and he's in my life to this day. And I talk to him every day. Not even a sponsor, he's a dear friend of mine. And I the ones that tell you the truth, to tell you the shit you don't want to hear, that's the ones you want to keep around for me. Yeah, man. Yeah, man. That's yeah, those those are your true friends.

SPEAKER_02 45:37

Yeah, no doubt, brother. You're doing it now. We already know. Stay on the path. I'm blessed and grateful to be connected with you that you would give me this much time and give the LM family your time and your story. That there's it can't help but help somebody.

SPEAKER_01 45:54

Did you have a good time? I had a great time, man, and that's what it's about. It's about helping and giving back. And I hope if anybody out there with the LM family is struggling through something, don't be afraid. Reach out to me, and I would love to interact with you or whatever the case may be. It's simple to do it, so do it. I promise you, I will give you the time. I'm nobody special, I'm a human being. I will answer your questions and give you the time. And Jesse, I just I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to come on here and go through this rig, this deal we just went through with all these issues, and it looks like we're coming out the other side okay. So, yeah, man. I appreciate that you working with me through all this. And if there's something that I can do for you to give back a little bit, please let me know. I would love to do that, and hopefully we'll keep climbing the ladder of being able to give back and that we can do this again sometime. 10-4. Hell yeah, we will, my man.

SPEAKER_02 47:03

Before you go, I want to thank you for spending part of your day with me. Your time and attention mean a ton. And it's because of listeners like you that this podcast even exists. If you enjoyed today's conversation, make sure to subscribe to the Learnings and Missteps podcast so you never miss an episode and you get extra credit if you share it with your friends. Also, if you want even more insights on leadership, personal growth, communication, you know, all those fancy magical things, you can sign up for my newsletter on LinkedIn because I got a newsletter that goes out every single Monday. All the resources I share there are designed to help you put yourself first so that you can leave this world better than you found it. There's also a digital copy of my book, Becoming the Promise You're Intended to Be. And it's sitting there waiting for you on my website. All you gotta do is do the click and do the download and you get the free PDF. And if you want even more bonus points, share

Subscribe, Newsletter, And Free Book PDF

SPEAKER_02 48:05

that PDF with somebody you know or the family of somebody you know that is currently struggling with self-destructive behavior. That would be the ultimate gift for me. While you're there, do some exploring of the trainings, workshops, and services that are designed to enhance your performance at home and at work. Just click the link in the show notes to check it out. Thanks again for listening. Take care of yourself, and I'll see you on the next episode. Peace.